There are a good number of ways of preventing lethal blood clots that require no medication. Blood clots are clumps of blood that can form in various parts of the body, such as the arms, legs, abdomen, heart, lungs, brain, and kidneys. Blood clots can travel and block vital organs in the human body, causing death after formation.
Blood clotting occurs due to an imbalance in the body’s natural clotting mechanisms owing to injury. For instance, when you get injured, platelets and proteins in your blood like fibrin clump together to form a clot, sealing the wound and preventing excessive bleeding. It’s important to know that this is a healthy response, nevertheless, the problem arises when clots form abnormally within intact blood vessels. This condition is called thrombosis.
Know that there are times when a blood clot forms inside a person’s blood vessel that has not sustained any vein damage or injury, this is possible with prolonged sitting, or bed rest which can slow down blood flow. The fact is that stagnant blood is more likely to clot.
Other factors worthy of being mentioned are pregnancy, smoking, obesity, certain medications, trauma, major surgery, age, family history, inherited disorders, autoimmune disorders, chronic inflammation, and specific infections can make blood more prone to clotting. Diseases like atherosclerosis (plaque buildup in arteries) can damage vessel walls, triggering clot formation.
In an ideal scenario with a healthy individual, blood clots that form from an injury can dissolve fully once the injury is healed. However, several factors like large clots, underlying medical conditions, inactivity can interfere with this process and increase the risk of a clot not dissolving completely leading to complications like chronic pain, swelling, or even pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lungs) or stroke.
In this article, Sound Health and Lasting Wealth will share natural ways to prevent blood clotting from forming in your body.
Preventing Lethal Blood Clots Naturally – No Medication
The good news is blood clots are often preventable! They are considered one of the most preventable types of blood conditions by the American Society of Hematology
Wear Compression Stockings
Compression stockings gently squeeze the legs, which can help improve blood flow in the veins and reduce the risk of blood pooling, a factor that can contribute to clot formation. Compression stockings come in various strengths (measured in mmHg). Choosing the right strength and fit is crucial for effectiveness and comfort. Consulting a doctor for proper guidance is essential. People with certain skin conditions or circulatory problems might not be suitable candidates for compression stockings.
Stay Hydrated
Blood is about 60% water, and proper hydration keeps it flowing smoothly. When dehydrated, the blood becomes thicker and more concentrated, making it easier for clots to form. Dehydration can also lead to sluggish blood flow, especially in the legs if you’re sitting or inactive for extended periods. Stagnant blood is more likely to clot. The amount of water you need depends on various factors like activity level, climate, and overall health. A general guideline is to drink around 4-6 glasses (or around 1-1.5 liters) of water daily. Monitor your urine output – it should be pale yellow and clear. Dark yellow urine indicates dehydration.
Alternatively, adding water-rich fruits and vegetables in your diet like watermelon, cucumber, celery, and leafy greens can be great.Be mindful of your fluid intake, especially in hot weather or during exercise when you sweat more.
Don’t Smoke
Cigarette smoke damages the inner lining of blood vessels, making them prone to inflammation and irritation. This triggers the clotting cascade, increasing unnecessary clot formation. Quitting allows your blood vessels to heal, reducing this risk. Smoking makes the blood thicker and platelets stickier, both factors that increase clotting risk. Quitting helps your blood return to a normal consistency and reduces platelet stickiness.
The positive effects of quitting smoking on blood clot risk start within weeks and continue to improve over time. The longer you’re smoke-free, the lower your risk becomes.
Move Around Regularly
When you move, your muscles contract and squeeze the veins in your legs. This squeezing action helps pump blood back towards your heart, preventing it from pooling and stagnating. You can Walk around from time to time daily, swim, or do water aerobics to keep your blood flowing smoothly. For travelers, always change your positions as much as you can while on the journey, especially long-distance travel.
Wear Loose-Fitting Clothes
Tight clothing especially on the lower body such as the legs can constrict blood vessels. Whereas, loose clothing allows for better blood flow, which can theoretically reduce the risk of stagnant blood forming clots. So t’s best you opt for loose, comfortable clothing that doesn’t restrict your movement or blood circulation.
Maintain a Healthy Weight
Being overweight or obese increases strain on your circulatory system. This can lead to slow blood flow, which can increase the risk of clots forming. Carrying excess weight can also increase inflammation throughout the body, another risk factor for blood clots. Hence maintaining a healthy weight through a balanced diet and regular exercise can aid alleviate some of that pressure on your veins and reduce your clot risk.
Eat Less Salt
The main concern with high salt intake is its link to high blood pressure. Chronically high blood pressure can damage blood vessel walls, potentially increasing the risk of clots forming. Too much salt consuption can equally cause dehydration, which increases the risk of blood clotting.
Avoid Prolonged Sitting or Standing
Sitting or standing for extended periods is bad for the health and blood vessels. Movement in your legs helps pump blood back towards your heart. By getting up and moving around, you prevent blood from pooling and clotting. Set reminders to get up and move around every 30-60 minutes, even if it’s just for a few minutes of walking or light stretches. If your job requires a lot of sitting, try using a standing desk or a sit-stand workstation for part of the day. If your job involves standing for long periods, take breaks to sit down and elevate your legs whenever possible.
Avoid Crossing Your Legs for Long
Crossing your legs for short durations likely has minimal effect on blood flow compared to long periods of crossing your legs. Make a conscious effort to avoid crossing your legs for too long, especially if you’re prone to blood clots or have a history of them.
Avoid Activities That May Bump or Knock the Legs
Trauma to the legs can increase the risk of blood clots. Avoid activities that may cause bumps or knocks to your legs. Bumps and knocks to the legs can damage the delicate lining of blood vessels. This damage can trigger the clotting cascade, the body’s natural process of forming clots to seal injuries. In cases where there’s no actual injury, this triggered clotting can be unnecessary and increase the risk of a clot forming abnormally within a vein (thrombosis). Always take precautions to protect yourself from injury.
Raise Your Legs Above the Level of Your Heart
Elevating your legs above heart level may help prevent blood clots as blood flows easily back towards your heart due to gravity. Elevation improves circulation in the legs, preventing blood from becoming stagnant.
Symptoms
The main symptoms of lethal blood clots vary depending on their location in the body, but can include;
Leg or arm: sudden or gradual pain, swelling, tenderness, warmth, and redness.
Lung (pulmonary embolism): sharp chest pain, racing heart, shortness of breath, sweating, fever, coughing up blood
Heart: chest heaviness or pain, discomfort in other areas of the upper body, shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, light-headedness
Brain: weakness of the face, arms or legs, difficulty speaking, vision problems, sudden and severe headache, dizziness
Abdomen: severe abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea
Other general symptoms are:
- Coughing up blood
- Pale, bluish, clammy skin
Blood clots can sometimes cause no symptoms at all, especially if they are small or located in the abdomen, esophagus, or kidneys. However, they can still be dangerous and require prompt medical attention.
If you are searching to know “how to dissolve blood clots naturally” ” it’s impossible to use natural remedy and get a lasting result. Those suffering from blood clotting conditions can only dissolve it with medicines called blood thinners.
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Note: Above all that has been discussed, natural remedies should not replace medical treatment if you have a suspected blood clot. Seek immediate medical attention for symptoms like difficulty breathing, chest pain, coughing up blood or irregular heartbeat.
Source
- https://www.hematology.org/education/patients/blood-clots
- https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/blood-clots/
- https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/blood-clots
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7556153/
